How To Brew White Tea
White tea is the least processed and most delicate of all teas, and it is important to make sure that all its qualities survive the brewing process. It is particularly important to make sure that the strong concentrations of antioxidants in the buds and leaves are not weakened or depleted, and to ensure that the mild taste of the tea is not compromised. However, the most important part is to enjoy the finished product.
Keep in mind that the tea, which should be loose leaf tea for the best result, should be kept in a dark, dry, and not to hot place. It should be placed in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
The water
There are two factors that can ruin any cup of white tea, and they are hard water and water that is too hot. Hard water means that the water has a high mineral content, mainly calcium and magnesium. These minerals will impair the taste of the tea, and may also inhibit and bind many of the antioxidants. If you know that the water in your area is hard, it is a good idea to filter it before you use it to brew white tea.Always use fresh water from the tap to brew white tea, not water that has been sitting in your water heater or teapot for hours or days. White tea in itself has such a subtle taste that any residue or impurities will make themselves felt, and the tea will not taste as good.
Heat the water to the boiling point, then let it cool. Never steep white tea in boiling water. 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit, or 80-85 degrees Celsius, is considered the optimal temperature for brewing white tea. Some will advise you to use water at 200 degrees Fahrenheit, or 95 degrees Celsius, but that would be too hot. Many antioxidants are destroyed at temperatures that close to the boiling point, and the tea becomes astringent and loses some of its best qualities as the leaves are cooked.
Amount of tea
The amount of tea you should use per cup of tea is a matter of taste and economics, since top quality white tea is by some margin the most expensive tea there is and you probably don't want to waste it. At White Tea Central, we usually recommend using one teaspoon of white tea per cup, or one tablespoon for a pot of about one quart, or one liter.Steeping
Depending on the quality of the tea, it should be steeped for under one minute, or slightly more. Silver needle quality tea should not be steeped for more than 30-40 seconds for the first steeping. Calculate steeping time depending on how you like your tea to taste. The longer you steep, the stronger the taste and the more pronounced the golden color.One serving of white tea can be brewed several times, for about one minute longer each time. Each steeping will reveal another interesting layer of flavor.
It is important to not pour milk or cream into the white tea, because the casein in the dairy products will bind the antioxidants, neutralizing the beneficial health effects of the tea.
Enjoy!
Some aficionados of white tea like to make a ritual of brewing and enjoying this exclusive and rare treat, taking a moment out of their busy schedule to relax with the preparation and enjoyment of a cup of the invigorating nectar. It is a fine way to savor the tea, but it is not necessary – sipping to a cup of white tea while working at your desk works perfectly fine, too. In fact, how you enjoy your white tea is not important - the important thing is that you do.Summary: Steep white tea in filtered water which at about 180 degrees Fahrenheit, or 80 degrees Celsius. Use one teaspoon per cup. Steep for two to five minutes, depending on quality. Steep the same serving several times to get the most enjoyment from the tea. Do not pour milk or cream into the tea.